20:32Jonathanrespondedto his fatherSaul, “Whyshould he be put to death? Whathas he done?”20:33ThenSaulthrewhis spearat Jonathan6 in order to strikehim down. So Jonathanwas convinced7thathis fatherhad decided to killDavid.20:34Jonathangotup from the tableenraged. He did noteatany foodon that seconddayof the new moon, forhe was upsetthathis fatherhadhumiliatedDavid.8

20:41Whenthe servanthad left, Davidgot upfrom besidethe mound,12knelt13with his faceto the ground, and bowedthreetimes. Then they kissedeachotherand they both wept, especiallyDavid.20:42Jonathansaidto David, “Goin peace, for the twoof ushavesworntogether in the nameof the Lordsaying, ‘The Lordwill bebetweenme and you and betweenmy descendantsand your descendantsforever.’”

Then David15 got up and left, while Jonathan went back to the city.21:1DavidwenttoAhimelechthe priestin Nob. Ahimelechwas shaking with fearwhen he met16David, and saidto him, “Whyare youby yourselfwith noone accompanyingyou?”21:2Davidrepliedto Ahimelechthe priest, “The kinginstructedme to do something, but he saidtome, ‘Don’tlet anyoneknowthe reasonI amsendingyou or the instructionsI have given you.’17 I have toldmy soldiers18towait at a certainplace.1921:3Nowwhatdo you have at your disposal?20 Giveme fiveloaves of bread, orwhatever can be found.”

21:4The priestrepliedto David, “I don’thave any ordinarybreadatmy disposal. Onlyholybreadisavailable, and then only ifyour soldiers21have abstainedfrom sexual relations with women.”2221:5Davidsaidto the priest, “Certainlywomenhave been kept awayfrom us, just as on previous occasionswhenI have set out. The soldiers’23equipmentis holy, even on an ordinaryjourney. How much more sowill they be holytoday, along with their equipment!”

21:6Sothe priestgavehim holybread, fortherewas nobreadthereother thanthe breadof the Presence. It had been removedfrom beforethe Lordin order to replace itwith hotbreadon the dayit had been takenaway.21:7(Oneof Saul’sservantswas therethat day, detainedbeforethe Lord. Hisnamewas Doegthe Edomite, whowas in charge of Saul’sshepherds.)21:8Davidsaidto Ahimelech, “Isthere noswordorspearhereat your disposal? I don’t have my own swordorequipmentin handdue to the urgencyof the king’sinstructions.”

21:12Davidthoughtabout whatthey said24 and was veryafraidof KingAchishof Gath.21:13He alteredhis behaviorin their presence.25Since he was in their power,26he pretended to be insane, making marksonthe doorsof the gateand letting his salivarun downhis beard.

David Goes to Adullam and Mizpah

22:1SoDavidleftthereand escapedtothe caveof Adullam. Whenhis brothersand the rest of his father’sfamily27learned about it, they went downthereto him.22:2Allthosewhowere in trouble or owedsomeonemoney or were discontented28gathered around29 him, and he becametheir leader. He had about fourhundredmenwithhim.

Saul Executes the Priests

22:6But Saulfound out the whereaboutsof Davidand the menwhowere withhim.32 Now Saulwas sittingat Gibeahunderthe tamarisktree at an elevated locationwith his spearin handand allhis servantsstationedaround him.22:7Saulsaidto his servantswho were stationedaroundhim, “Listen up, you Benjaminites! Is Jesse’ssongivingfieldsand vineyardsto allof you? Or is he makingallof you33 commandersand officers?3422:8Forallof you have conspiredagainstme! Noone informsme35 when my own sonmakes an agreementwiththis sonof Jesse! Notone of you feels sorryfor me or informsme thatmy own sonhas commissionedmy own servantto hide inambushagainst me, as is the case today!”

22:9ButDoegthe Edomite, who had stationedhimself with the servantsof Saul, replied, “I sawthis sonof JessecometoAhimelechsonof Ahitubat Nob.22:10He inquiredof the Lordfor him and gave him provisions. He also gavehim the swordof Goliaththe Philistine.”

22:11Thenthe kingarrangedfor a meeting with the priestAhimelechsonof Ahituband allthe priestsof his father’shousewhowere at Nob. They allcametothe king.22:12Then Saulsaid, “Listen, sonof Ahitub.” He replied, “Here I am, my lord.”22:13Saulsaidtohim, “Whyhave you conspiredagainstme, youand thissonof Jesse? You gave36him breadand a swordand inquiredof Godon his behalf, so that he opposes37me and waits in ambush, as is the case today!”

22:14Ahimelechrepliedto the king, “Whoamong allyour servantsis faithfullike David? He is the king’sson-in-law, the leader of your bodyguard, and honoredin your house!22:15Was it just todaythat I beganto inquireof Godon his behalf? Far be itfrom me! The kingshould notaccuse38his servantor anyof my father’shouse. Foryour servantis notawareof allthis– not in whole orin part!”39

22:16But the kingsaid, “You will surelydie, Ahimelech, youand allyour father’shouse!22:17Then the kingsaidto the messengers40who were stationedbeside him, “Turnand killthe priestsof the Lord, forthey toohave sided41withDavid! They knewhe was fleeing, but they did notinformme.” But the king’sservantsrefusedto harm42the priestsof the Lord.

22:18Then the kingsaidto Doeg, “Youturnand strikedown the priests!” SoDoegthe Edomiteturnedand struck downthe priests. He killedon that dayeighty-five43menwho worethe linenephod.22:19As for Nob, the cityof the priests, he struck downwith the swordmenand women, childrenand infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep– all with the sword.

Then the Lordsaid, “He will come down.”23:12Davidasked, “Will the leadersof Keilahdeliverme and my meninto Saul’shand?” The Lordsaid, “They will deliveryou over.”

23:13SoDavidand his men, who numbered about sixhundred, set outand left Keilah; they movedaround from one place to another.53 When toldthatDavidhadescapedfrom Keilah, Saulcalled a halt to his expedition.23:14Davidstayedin the strongholdsthat were in the desertand inthe hill countryof the desertof Ziph. Saullookedfor him allthe time,54but Goddid notdeliverDavid55 into his hand.23:15Davidrealized56thatSaulhad come outto seekhis life; at that time Davidwas in Horeshin the desertof Ziph.

23:24So they leftand wentto Ziphaheadof Saul. Now Davidand his menwere in the desertof Maon, in the Arabahtothe southof Jeshimon.23:25Sauland his menwent to lookfor him.63 But Davidwas informedand went downto the rockand stayedin the desertof Maon. When Saulheardabout it, he pursuedDavidin the desertof Maon.23:26Saulwenton one sideof the mountain, whileDavidand his menwent on the other sideof the mountain. Davidwas hurryingto get awayfrom Saul, but Sauland his menwere surroundingDavidand his menso they could capturethem.23:27But a messengercametoSaulsaying, “Comequickly, forthe Philistineshave raidedthe land!”

24:8AfterwardDavidgotup and went outof the cave. He calledout afterSaul, “My lord, O king!” When Saullookedbehindhim, Davidkneeleddownand bowedwith his faceto the ground.24:9Davidsaidto Saul, “Whydo you pay attentionwhen mensay, ‘Davidis seekingto do you harm’?24:10Todayyour own eyesseehowthe Lorddelivered you – this very day – into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity76 on you and said, ‘I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.’7724:11Look, my father, and seetheedgeof your robein my hand! WhenI cut offtheedgeof your robe, I didn’tkillyou. So realizeand understand thatI am not planning78evilor rebellion. Even though I have notsinnedagainst you, youare waitingin ambush to takemy life.24:12May the Lordjudgebetweenthe twoof us, and may the Lordvindicatemeover you, but my handwill notbeagainst you.24:13It’s like the oldproverbsays: ‘From evil peopleevilproceeds.’ But my handwill notbeagainst you.24:14Whohas the kingof Israelcome outafter? Whois it that youare pursuing? A deaddog? A singleflea?24:15Maythe Lordbe our judgeand arbiter. May he seeand arbitratemy caseand deliverme from your hands!”

24:16WhenDavidfinishedspeakingthesewordstoSaul, Saulsaid, “Is that your voice, my sonDavid?” ThenSaulweptloudly.7924:17He saidtoDavid, “Youare more innocent80thanI, foryouhave treatedme well, even though Ihave triedto harmyou!24:18Youhave explainedtodayhowyou havetreatedme well. The Lorddeliveredme into your hand, but you did notkillme.24:19Now ifa manfindshis enemy, does he sendhim on his wayin goodshape? May the Lordrepayyou with goodthisdayfor whatyou havedoneto me.24:20Nowlook, I realizethatyou will in fact bekingand thatthe kingdomof Israelwill be establishedin your hand.24:21So nowswearto me in the Lord’sname81 that you will notkill82my descendantsafterme ordestroymy namefrom the houseof my father.”

24:22DavidpromisedSaulthis on oath.83 Then Saulwenttohis house, and Davidand his menwent upto the stronghold.